Shower apparatus for securing infant and toddler

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for securing at least one of an infant and toddler within at least one of a bathtub and a shower. Such apparatus includes a waterproof base member. A securing means is operably connected to a first predetermined location on such base member for securing such base member to at least one of such bathtub and a shower. A seat is coupled to such base member at a second predetermined location thereon. An adjustment mechanism is operably connected to such base member at a third predetermined location thereon for securing such infant within the apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/882,333 filed Dec. 28, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to infant and child care and,more particularly, this invention relates to seating devices for infantsand children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, infantand toddler chairs, as are generally well known in the prior art, havebeen used in variety of styles to care for infants and small children.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following:Bulger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,033, discloses a child's food serving trysuch as those used on high chairs.

Wolf, et al, Publication No. 4,640,033, discloses a compact folding highchair.

Tribecca manufactures the Majestic Discovery high chair which has a trayincluding electronic activities.

Kolcraft produces Baby Sit & Step 2-In-1 Activity Center; a one-pieceapparatus that acts as an activity center for babies who can hold theirheads up and then converts to a walker for those babies ready to taketheir first steps.

None of these references, however, is suitable for placement in a showerfor securing an infant or toddler while a caregiver takes a shower.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for securing at least one ofan infant and toddler within at least one of a bathtub and a shower. Theapparatus includes a base member manufactured from a first waterproofpredetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a firstpredetermined shape. A securing means is operably connected to a firstpredetermined portion of such base member for securing such base memberto at least one of such bathtub and such shower. A seat is coupled tosuch base member at a second predetermined portion thereon, the seatbeing manufactured from a second waterproof predetermined material andhaving a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. Anadjustment means is operably connected to such base member at a thirdpredetermined location thereon for securing at least one of such infantand such toddler within the apparatus.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a waterproof device which will keep a child safe and occupiedwhile a caregiver of the child showers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensivedevice securable to a bathtub or shower floor in which an infant ortoddler may sit while a caregiver takes a shower.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a devicesecurable to a bathtub or shower floor and which provides variouswaterproof toys with which to amuse an infant or toddler secured withinthe device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a devicesecurable to a bathtub or shower floor in which an infant or toddler maysit while a caregiver takes a shower and which includes a detachablemobile for amusing such infant or toddler.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device tokeep infants and toddlers safe while their caregivers are takingshowers.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the presentinvention described with some degree of specificity above it should beobvious that additional objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled inthe relevant art from the following more detailed description of theinvention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunctionwith the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to afirst embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to oneembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity andunderstanding, identical components which have identical functions havebeen identified with identical reference numerals throughout the severalviews illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3.

An apparatus, generally designated 10, for securing at least one of aninfant (not shown) and a toddler (not shown) within at least one of abathtub (not shown) and a shower (not shown) is provided.

Such apparatus 10 includes a base member 12 manufactured from a firstwaterproof predetermined material and having a first predetermined sizeand a first predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that suchbase member 12 is between about 11½ and 12½ inches wide. It is presentlymost preferred that such base member 12 is about 12 inches wide.

A securing means 14 is operably connected to a first predeterminedlocation 16 on such base member 12 for securing such base member 12 toat least one of such bathtub and such shower. It is presently preferredthat such securing means 14 is at least one suction cup 22 attached at apredetermined location to such base member 12.

A seat 24 is coupled to such base member 12 at a second predeterminedlocation thereon, such seat 24 being manufactured from a secondwaterproof predetermined material and having a second predetermined sizeand a second predetermined shape.

An adjustment means 26 is operably connected to such base member at athird predetermined location thereon for securing at least one of suchinfant (not shown) and such toddler (not shown) within the apparatus 10.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such base member12 further includes a waterproof tray 28 coupled to such base member 12at a predetermined location thereon. It is further presently preferredthat such waterproof tray 28 includes at least one waterproof toy 30releasably connected to the waterproof tray 30 at a predeterminedlocation thereon.

It is presently preferred that such waterproof tray 30 includes at leastone cavity 32 at a predetermined location thereon for storing toys.

It is presently preferred that such base member 12 includes a means 34for draining water collected within such base member 12 at predeterminedlocation thereon.

It is further presently preferred that such base member 12 includes awaterproof mobile 36 releasably engageable to such base member 12 at apredetermined location thereon.

It presently preferred that a water proof pillow 38 is releasablyconnected to such base member 12 at a predetermined location thereon.

In the presently preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 is produced in avariety of colors.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such base member12 and such seat 24 are manufactured from substantially identicalmaterials.

In another embodiment, such waterproof tray 30 includes at least onewaterproof toy 39 securably connected to the tray 30 at a predeterminedlocation thereon.

In yet another embodiment, such waterproof tray 30 includes a pluralityof apertures 40 at predetermined locations thereon for draining waterfrom such waterproof tray 30.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of thepresent invention have been described in sufficient detail above toenable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same itshould be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications canbe envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departingfrom either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. An apparatus for securing at least one of an infant and a toddlerwithin at least one of a bathtub and a shower comprising: a. a basemember manufactured from a first waterproof predetermined material andhaving a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape; b. asecuring means operably connected to a first predetermined location onsaid base member for securing said base member to at least one of suchbathtub and such shower; c. a seat coupled to said base member at asecond predetermined location thereon, said seat being manufactured froma second waterproof predetermined material and having a secondpredetermined size and a second predetermined shape; and d. anadjustment means operably connected to said base member at a thirdpredetermined location thereon for securing at least one of such infantand such toddler within said apparatus.
 2. An apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said base member further includes a waterproof traycoupled to said base member at a predetermined location thereon.
 3. Anapparatus according to claim 2 wherein said waterproof tray includes atleast one waterproof toy releasably connected to said waterproof tray ata predetermined location thereon.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1wherein said base member includes a waterproof mobile releasablyengageable to said base member at a predetermined location thereon. 5.An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said waterproof tray includesa plurality of apertures at predetermined locations thereon for drainingwater from said waterproof tray.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1wherein said apparatus is produced in a variety of colors.
 7. Anapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base member includes a meansfor draining water collected within said base at a predeterminedlocation thereon.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said basemember includes a water proof pillow releasably connected at apredetermined location thereon.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1wherein said base member is between about 11½ and 12½ inches wide. 10.An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base member is about 12inches wide.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidwaterproof tray includes at least one cavity at a predetermined locationthereon for storing toys.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid securing means is at least one suction cup attached at apredetermined location to said base member.
 13. An apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said base member and said seat are manufactured fromsubstantially identical materials.